BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — McAllen Memorial setter Taylor Marburger knows she can trust an attacker who isn’t afraid to ask for the ball. Even as a freshman, Lanie Nitsch has shown no fear doing that from Day 1.
Starting from the opening match of the season, Nitsch has ranked as one of the Mustangs’ three leaders in kills. Another freshman, Jocelyn Everage, has also been a regular starter and key cog in the offense.
Together with a strong core of returners, the newcomers have lifted McAllen Memorial to an undefeated run through the first half of play in District 30-6A.
“We knew they were very talented, but we never thought we would depend on them so much for these big games,” Marburger said. “We’ve been doing that a lot recently.”
Nitsch said she wasn’t fully comfortable with the Lady Mustangs during her first few weeks, but added that her confidence never wavered.
With time, she adjusted to the bigger blockers on the other side of the net, becoming much more vocal as the year progressed.
“I feel like I’m responsible just as much as anybody else,” Nitsch said. “It doesn’t make a difference that I’m a freshman.”
Marburger said the entire team — even the upperclassmen — feed off of Nitsch’s energy.
Coach Lorena Lopez saw how Nitch’s athleticism, competitive edge and understanding of the game made her not just a useful player, but a leader.
“She’s not following anybody,” Lopez said. “She’s like, ‘Follow me.’ That’s great about her. Her biggest asset is the team’s willingness to follow her wherever she wants to go.”
Nitsch’s older sister, Allie, said she always saw Lanie’s success coming. Now a senior, Allie remembers starting during her freshman season and telling Lopez at one of Memorial’s team nights that her sister would someday do the same.
“I just knew it,” Allie said. “She has this mindset of always coming out to win, and she doesn’t want anyone else to beat her.”
Having an older sister lead the way helped the process along. Lanie and Allie said they still spend time at home talking Memorial volleyball — things like how to build team chemistry, where to hit and block, or what jumps out about the next opponent.
Allie said she’s always around to offer pointers to Lanie, who is always open to listen. While Lanie consistently projected confidence, she credited her sister for making her truly have faith in her ability.
“She really always told me, ‘You’re fine, you’re ready for this,’” Lanie said. “That really helped me, because I did not believe that.”
Everage also needed a little time to fully believe in herself. Like Lanie, Everage had been playing since elementary school and had an extensive history at the club level.
But high school was a different challenge — one with a bigger audience and more eyes on every point.
“At first, I had a lot of nerves,” Everage said. “As the season went on, it got a lot better. I learned to channel my energy.”
While Lanie is loud and motivating, Everage is more quiet and levelheaded. Marburger said she never sees Everage get tense.
Everage has impressed with her versatility and willingness to play outside, middle or opposite with equal effectiveness. Allie even thought Everage would make a good setter because of her soft hands. What’s impressed Lopez the most has been Everage’s consistency.
“I get the same play out of Jocelyn game after game,” Lopez said. “There are never surprises. There are no lulls.”
A third freshman, Valeria Treviño, has broken into the starting lineup in recent weeks. Lopez won’t bring up freshmen to sit the bench, but Treviño proved during practice that she’s ready to be a three-rotation starter.
On certain plays, the three freshmen will be lined up side-by-side across the front row. Lopez said the infusion of new blood has been fine by the older players, who have bought in to the principle that everyone plays under the same ‘Varsity’ label.
“They’ve accepted the philosophy: ‘This is the varsity. This is our team. This is our chance. This is our year. We have to make it happen,’” Lopez said. “They’re all in, and that’s what helps.”